Rectangular earthwork, postulated site of Late Anglo-Saxon mint, Horndon-on-the Hill (EHER 83109)

A rectangular earthwork is visible in allotments at Horndon-on-the Hill. It is considered that the most likely period during which such an enclosure might have been constructed here is in the late Anglo-Saxon period when Horndon is known to have been home to a temporary mint.

Information from NRHE: There was a Saxon Mint at Horndon on the Hill (TQ 6683) <1> <2> Horndon on the Hill. Saxon name Horniduna 1042-66 AD is the probable site of a Saxon Mint. Coins bearing the place name Horniduna have been found in Sweden. <3> TQ 671 833. Inspection of the allotments at Horndon-on-the-Hill indicated that they are demarcated by substantial lynchets on the north by Arden Hall Road; on the south by Hassenbrook Hall Lane; and on the east a north-south lynchet dividing the allotments from the arable fields. Taken together, these lynchets suggest three sides of a square or rectangular earthwork enclosure at the eastern end of a low ridge. The only period during which a defended enclosure might be suggested is in the late Saxon period when Horndon was a temporary mint. A sherd of medieval pottery was recovered. <4> Additional reference with short history of mint and medieval settlement. <5> Information from NRHE record 1083275 TQ6683. Mint of Horniduna sited generally to Horndon-on-the-Hill. A temporary Saxon mint was established at Horniduna (identified as Horndon) from 1056-9. The short life of the mint may be the result of the need for temporary increased striking capacity in East Anglia. Only one coin is known in England, from the St Mary Hill Church hoard in London, although other examples are known from Sweden. <6> <7> (See TQ68SE2 for a possible site for this mint)